Year's first West Nile case in Santa Cruz County confirmed

SOQUEL &GT;&GT; Santa Cruz County's first reported case of West Nile Virus in 2014 has been confirmed by state health officials.

The potentially deadly virus was detected in a dead sparrow found in the upper Rodeo Gulch Drive area, and brings to 29 the number of California counties where the virus has been found this year. Those figures include nine people infected with the virus, compared to just one at this point in 2013.

"A resident there found a dead bird and called the number," said Laurie Lang, a spokesperson for the county's Department of Public Health. "They sent the bird to the state for testing and unfortunately this came back positive."

County health officials ask residents to report dead birds by calling 877-968-2473 or going online to www.agdept.com/mvc.html. The bird was found in late June and confirmed having the virus late last week.

First detected in Uganda in the 1930s, West Nile was not considered a major human threat until the mid-1990s. The virus attacks a body's central nervous system and very few cases are severe, though the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable.

Mosquitos are the primary mode of transmission and the county routinely tests for West Nile. No human, mosquito, horse or chicken cases have been found here, though the first 2013 mosquito case wasn't found until August.

Santa Clara County, however, has been among the hardest-hit in California. Last week alone, 45 new birds cases were reported there, and the total of 286 bird cases there account for more than half the statewide total.

Jacob Jones, a county vector control specialist, said warmer temperatures over the hill help explain why the disease is found there in such greater numbers. He also said the vast amounts of open space in Santa Cruz County mean more cases likely go undetected.

"We're not going to see a bird in Henry Cowell (State Park)," Jones said. "A bird might fall though the cracks (here), where they're a big concrete grid."

Rising temperatures could bring other tropical diseases, as well. In April, San Mateo County officials found a tropical mosquito rarely seen in the Bay Area in decades, one that scientists know as a startlingly effective disease delivery system.

Known as Aedes aegypti, the mosquito tested negative for diseases. But the species can carry dengue fever and yellow fever, and with detections in several counties now, it appears to be establishing a California foothold.

Health officials advise wearing mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants and avoiding areas where mosquitos are found. There is no human vaccine for the virus.

Since 2003, West Nile Virus has killed 145 people in California. For more information, go to www.westnile.ca.gov.